Laborers
Laborers
A parable is a short story or metaphor, drawn from familiar cultural context and experience, and prompted by Jesus’ need to explain himself and his ministry. Each week this summer we'll explore one of Jesus' parables, asking what it is meant to teach us about Jesus and the Kingdom of God. In this week's parable, Jesus tells his followers a story about a landowner who goes out and hires vineyard workers at different times, paying them all the same denarius for different amounts of work. God's grace evokes something in the 6 AM workers, which reveals what they think about life with God. Jesus ends by reminding us that "the last shall be first and the first shall be last." We all stand on the same grace, and we should view one another through that lens.
Community Discussion
Read Matthew 20:1-16. What do you notice?
God is the landowner. Who do you think the various workers represent?
What does the denarius represent? How should this effect the way we view each other?
What is the difference between living under grace and living under the law? Which one do you identify with more? What difference does it make in the way we relate to God? To others? To the 5pm workers?
Are there "5pm workers" who would offend you by receiving God's grace?
August 11, 2024 - Matt Deisen